Feature

America at War: Responses in Fibre

Nancy JirtleHow our lives have changed since the terrorist attacks on our country September 11 during which thousands of our fellow citizens died in the World Trade Center in New York City, in the Pentagon in Washington, DC , and in the crash of flight # 93 in Pennsylvania. When the World Trade Center towers collapsed, hundreds of rescue workers ‚Äì firemen, policemen, and others -- were killed as they attempted to save those injured or trapped in the initial attacks.

Thousands of Americans donated blood as medical personnel raced to the attack sites. Gradually, eerily, all of those trying to help realized that very few people had survived to receive either blood or medical assistance. President George W. Bush built a coalition of nations to help us in the war against terrorism and led our nation's military, economic, and diplomatic response to the September attacks. In subsequent weeks, threats of additional terrorist attacks and civilian deaths from unexplained cases of anthrax have made all of us alert to danger.

In this climate of war and personal vulnerability, various responses in fibre have begun to appear. Knitted socks and Christmas stockings in red, white and blue yarns, pot holders woven on square looms with red, white and blue nylon loops, shoulder bags in Fourth of July fabrics, and flag pins stitched in needlepoint, cross stitch, or glass beads are four of the fiber expressions of national unity of purpose CyberFibres has noted.

CyberFibres is pleased to feature one such handmade fiber creation that can be ordered directly from fiber artist Susan Coughlin of Halifax, Pennsylvania. It is Susan's patriotic rolled brimmed felted hat in 100% wool. The hat may be ordered with red brim and blue crown or blue brim and white crown. In either design, the white strip separating the brim and crown is white.

Susan displayed the hat at her booth at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fest in Asheville, NC Oct. 26-28, 2001. The price of the hat is $47 plus shipping. This is a very reasonable price for such a becoming hat. Susan knits and felts each hat to order. She can be reached by phone (717) 896-8419 or mail: Susan Coughlin, c/o Coughlin's Homespun Yarns, 3293 Peters Mtn. Rd., Halifax, PA 17032-9043